The UAFC

Wayne Barnes is the referee and Tom Foley (RFU) TMO.

So what do people think is an achievable deficit to overcome if Ulster lose on Saturday? I reckon 10 points.

Neill_M wrote: ↑Tue Apr 05, 2022 9:45 am Wayne Barnes is the referee and Tom Foley (RFU) TMO.

So what do people think is an achievable deficit to overcome if Ulster lose on Saturday? I reckon 10 points.

Yeah. Got a chance with 10. Even then, an early score for Toulouse at Ravenhill and we've got a mountain to climb.

Neill_M wrote: ↑Tue Apr 05, 2022 9:45 am Wayne Barnes is the referee and Tom Foley (RFU) TMO.

So what do people think is an achievable deficit to overcome if Ulster lose on Saturday? I reckon 10 points.

I know you're not suggesting it, but I reckon Ulster have to approach this looking for the win rather than keeping any deficit down to a certain number.

The goal might change during the game and match management may need to be taken seriously, but if we just go into this looking to keep their score down, we risk a hammering.

That said Captain I still expect a defensive approach to the game

ie don't contest the break down unless it is essential
don't go for the extra metre in possession unless within scoring distance

Mimimise the penalties against and try to ensure the game is played in their half giving Ulster the opportunity to kick any penalties awarded to them and/or head for the opposition corner hopefully with a few variations of the line , maul and plays to take advantage of the opportunity.

Ie I don't expect Ulster to be running the ball inside their own 22 or behind the 10 metre line I expect an over abundance of "Doak" ball

I would expect ulster to be practicing kicking and space seeking returns -- long low kicks towards the corner rather high and long chases up the middle

a game of containment and exploitation rather out and out attack.

Yes go all out for the win in ToulouseI but I almost would rather go into the match at Ravers with a narrow loss rather than going in trying to protect a lead.

HammerTime wrote: ↑Tue Apr 05, 2022 10:20 am Yes go all out for the win in ToulouseI but I almost would rather go into the match at Ravers with a narrow loss rather than going in trying to protect a lead.

You don't want to be winning at HT?

Go all out for the win to keep us as close as possible but it’s not a disaster if it’s a narrow loss(obviously). I would worry about Ulster team/crowd mindset if we somehow got a win. It would be a nervous week leading into it. Versus a Big noisy crowd and a pumped up team trying to re-gain a narrow deficit imo would be the best. But at the end of the day it is Toulouse and they’re going to throw everything at this as they won’t win their league so we could get well duffed in both games.

I'd still prefer to be leading. It gives you an opportunity of winning the toss at Ravenhill, kicking the ball deep into their territory and potentially securing some early points.

HammerTime wrote: ↑Tue Apr 05, 2022 10:29 am But at the end of the day it is Toulouse and they’re going to throw everything at this as they won’t win their league so we could get well duffed in both games.

We won't get duffed at ravers. We may lose, but it won't be a duffing.(unless something extreme happens like red card(s) or serious injuries).

(To the tune of "Those were the days my friend")
You're going to lose, Toulouse
You're going to lose ....

Paddy Power have Toulouse as 11 point favourites, which logically is probably about right. That said, I'm strangely confident that Ulster are going to step up and make a contest of it.

I'm not sure I agree that Ulster should be looking at play 'Doak Ball' either. We beat Clermont in France precisely by taking the game to them and think that's what we should try and do here. The only difference is that as it's not 'winner takes all' there shouldn't be any chasing the game with 50-50 passes if we're slightly behind.

Unfortunately there is no longer anyone to correct me on this, but I believe we have a better record over Toulouse than any other french team. There is nothing to fear!

except their world class players

Think we have 100% records against both Montpellier and Oyannax? As far as I'm aware we've only played both twice though...

MightyRearranger wrote: ↑Tue Apr 05, 2022 12:08 pm Think we have 100% records against both Montpellier and Oyannax? As far as I'm aware we've only played both twice though...

... and Castre.

Our best record against French teams we've played more than twice is 5-3 v Clermont.

Currently 5-1-5 against Toulouse.

big mervyn wrote: ↑Tue Apr 05, 2022 1:33 pm

MightyRearranger wrote: ↑Tue Apr 05, 2022 12:08 pm Think we have 100% records against both Montpellier and Oyannax? As far as I'm aware we've only played both twice though...

... and Castre.

Our best record against French teams we've played more than twice is 5-3 v Clermont.

Currently 5-1-5 against Toulouse.

It's definitely our best record against French teams we've played 11 times. Currently 5-6 v Stade Francais!

Neill_M wrote: ↑Tue Apr 05, 2022 9:45 am Wayne Barnes is the referee and Tom Foley (RFU) TMO.

So what do people think is an achievable deficit to overcome if Ulster lose on Saturday? I reckon 10 points.

A 20 point loss this weekend and a 6pt win the following weekend is my prediction.

It’ll be the great achievement since 1999 to beat this talented Toulouse squad over 2 legs.